New Zealand, Māori and Treaty of Waitangi

Protests and a New Zealand leader's absence overshadow a day marking the founding treaty with Māori
The bill's architect, David Seymour, met with protests at Waitangi marae — a Māori meeting house — during speeches by political leaders on Wednesday, as he made a fresh pitch for the law. The measures are widely derided and prompted tens of thousands of people to march on Parliament in Wellington last November.
New Zealand marks anniversary of its founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, with quiet protests
New Zealand on Thursday marked the anniversary of its founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi. The day came with quiet protests of government officials by some Māori leaders amid a national period of fractured race relations and the absence of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon from a gathering of politicians and Māori tribes which the country's leader traditionally attends.
New Zealand's Waitangi Treaty may be at risk. These young Māori are fighting to protect it
Rotorua, a cultural hub for New Zealand's Indigenous Māori people, shaped Flavell's journey as a proud Māori activist. Exposed to both culture and politics from a young age, he began participating in demonstrations at just 10 years old.
How New Zealand got its Treaty of Waitangi
New Zealand recognises Waitangi Day, the day that commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. It was signed by representatives of the British Crown and over 40 rangatira (chiefs) who gathered in Waitangi in the Bay of Islands.
New Zealanders celebrate national day amid debate over founding treaty
Thousands gathered across New Zealand on Thursday to celebrate the signing of the country’s founding document and some called for an end to government policies that critics say erode the rights promised to the Indigenous Maori population.
New Zealand grapples with nationhood on Waitangi Day
Prime Minister Chris Luxon has used his Waitangi Day address to settle nerves over his government's attitude to Maori and the Treaty of Waitangi, insisting it would "honour the treaty and work in partnership with Maori".
Waitangi Day in New Zealand overshadowed by treaty controversy
Waitangi Day in New Zealand is marked by controversy as Māori leaders condemn a proposed bill to redefine the Treaty of Waitangi, sparking protests and political tensions.
Waitangi Day: Thousands gather in NZ as Māori rights in focus
Thousands of people have attended events in Waitangi in northern New Zealand, to celebrate the country's national day.
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What did the Māori chiefs say before the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840?
The Spinoff presents a simplified transcript of the speeches at the treaty signings in Waitangi, Hokianga and Kaitāia.
Unwritten rules: why claims of a missing ‘fourth article’ of the Treaty don’t stack up
Some say an oral promise of religious protection read out at Waitangi in 1840 amounts to a fourth article of the Treaty. But ...
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Treaty of Waitangi Anniversary: Tensions and Traditions
The Treaty of Waitangi's anniversary passed quietly amid political strains in New Zealand. Prime Minister Luxon avoided the main event, with controversy over a proposed law redefining the treaty's ...
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Waitangi 2025: A day of kōrero, kaupapa and kotahitanga
One belief was virtually universal within the Waitangi forum tents: existing as Māori is inherently political.
If Christopher Luxon Hoped To Avoid Waitangi Day Controversy, It Backfired
Analysis - If Christopher Luxon was trying to avoid controversy and challenge attending Waitangi Day in the South Island, it ...
Waitangi 2025: What the kōhanga generation offers the country - Simon Wilson
There was a lot of talk about Dame Iritana Te Rangi Tāwhiwhirangi at Waitangi this week. She died recently, aged 95, having ...